Popular Post Taun Posted April 15, 2014 Popular Post #1 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I've decided to start a thread for us old geezers and geezettes, to talk 'bout things from our perspective and possibly to educate the young whippersnappers that might read it as to the way things were (and should be again)... And of course, to provide a place for us to sit on the stoop of the UM home, feebly shake our canes at the passing kiddo's and shout out "Hey kid! Get offa my lawn!" So the young'uns will understand where we are coming from I'll start by telling them "how it was" You young'uns have all these fancy mobile phones, with the face book, and tweets... You ain't so hot... We had those decades ago! Our mobile phones had extra long cords so we could walk around - some as long as 15 feet! For face book - we put our faces in a book.... and read... And tweets could easily be found in trees - from the birds that sang all the time... But seriously, I thought it might be fun to post some of the things we 50+ year olds grew up with and around... So you younger posters could see how far we've come in just 1 lifetime... My family use to be on a party line... Eight families sharing the same phone line... You had to listen to the pattern of the rings to know if the call was for you or someone else... And of course anyone could pick up their phone and hear you talking... (People were really nosy back then!) And you had to wait for a time when no one was using the phone before you could dial out... My neighbors hated our family... I had 5 sisters who lived on the phone... Telephones came in two colors - Black... and Tan... few houses had more than one as it cost more than my dad made a month to get a second line... I remember our first color TV... I was 12, and the national networks (ABC, CBS and NBC - thats all there was in the US) each had 1 or 2 shows that were in color (everything else was grainy, staticy Black and white) My dad saved up for several months and paid close to half a months salary for a large, console TV that had an AM/FM/shortwave radio receiver and phonograph player in it... And it had a massive 14 inch Color TV screen... We were the envy of the block... Prior to that there were people selling "color converter kits" for B&W TVs... It was a sheet of cellophane that you taped over the screen... The top third was light blue (to simulate sky) the bottom was light green and the middle was yellow... It sucked.... Computers were semi-magical things only seen in bad sci-fi movies, and cost millions of dollars... If you have a pocket calculator today - it has more capabilites than they did back then... Speaking of calculators... The first "pocket calculators" came out while I was in my first year of high school... They cost almost a months salary, and had limited functions - with a red LED display... The "Brainy kids" had Slide-Rules - which we called "Slip-sticks"... Any other Old timers care to share ? Oh and BTW "Get offa my lawn!" 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keel M. Posted April 15, 2014 #2 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Well I guess at 42 I'm still too young for this thread. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taun Posted April 15, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Well I guess at 42 I'm still too young for this thread. You can apply for an honorary membership... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilly Posted April 15, 2014 #4 Share Posted April 15, 2014 The computer at my university (that's right there was only one) took up the entire floor of a large building. You entered data via punch cards and had to sign up weeks in advance to get 'computer time'. To listen to music you had the options of the radio or a stereo record player (not portable). To make a phone call when away from home you looked for phone booths. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaden Posted April 15, 2014 #5 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Yeah, I arrived at "old fart" category several years ago. Very well aquainted with party lines and black and white T.V. Where I grew up, we had 4 channels, 2(ABC) the local station from the nearest city, and 4(NBC), 5(CBS), and 9(ABC), from a larger city to the south. If someone was willing to go up on the roof and turn the antenna, we could then get an independent station from another city, which I had to do when I wanted to watch "Lost In Space" or "The Avengers". I grew up during a time when outhouses and wood burning stoves were the norm, not oddities or just found at campgrounds. You only think of such things as hardships if you have experienced easier ways. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regi Posted April 15, 2014 #6 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I've never heard of the 'color converter kit'. That's too funny! I used to have to go outside and turn the TV antenna until there was a clear picture. (I was doing that once and as I was looking up, I accidentally swallowed a coin I had in my mouth, which scared the daylights out of me.) My brothers would sometimes take me to the drive-in and the most memorable movie I saw there was The Frogs. That drive-in's been closed for probably close to 30 years now and the screens have fallen over and I think they're still laying around out there. Btw, there's only one drive-in I know of that's still operating in Texas. I've never been there, but I've been past it and it's very nice. http://www.galaxydriveintheatre.com/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHaYap Posted April 15, 2014 #7 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I ain't old per se ... more so in light of recent revelations I believe I am advanced ... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGirl Posted April 15, 2014 #8 Share Posted April 15, 2014 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHaYap Posted April 15, 2014 #9 Share Posted April 15, 2014 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted April 15, 2014 #10 Share Posted April 15, 2014 (edited) I fondly remember hip hugger pants, bell bottoms, hot pants, tank tops, love beads, piece signs, platform shoes, body painting, leather fringe vests, boots, and purses, the Beatles, make love not war protests, environmental protests... If only we could go back......oh wait... ...I do believe we've come full circle. I forgot tie dye! How could I forget tie dye? Edited April 15, 2014 by Michelle 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keel M. Posted April 15, 2014 #11 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Btw, there's only one drive-in I know of that's still operating in Texas. I've never been there, but I've been past it and it's very nice. http://www.galaxydriveintheatre.com/ No ma'am. There's the Tascosa Drive-in Theatre in Amarillo, TX. It actually re-opened the summer I visited a friend there, in 2000. Used to be 2 screens, but when they reopened, it became a single screen with the other half of the property becoming an RV park. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taun Posted April 15, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted April 15, 2014 (edited) I've never heard of the 'color converter kit'. That's too funny! I used to have to go outside and turn the TV antenna until there was a clear picture. (I was doing that once and as I was looking up, I accidentally swallowed a coin I had in my mouth, which scared the daylights out of me.) My brothers would sometimes take me to the drive-in and the most memorable movie I saw there was The Frogs. That drive-in's been closed for probably close to 30 years now and the screens have fallen over and I think they're still laying around out there. Btw, there's only one drive-in I know of that's still operating in Texas. I've never been there, but I've been past it and it's very nice. http://www.galaxydriveintheatre.com/ Drive-In Theaters are a treat... You really should try to go to one at least once in your life... The crappier the movie the better... Really bad movies are so much better at drive-ins... I don't know why... they just are... (Not much fun by yourself though... A LOT better with someone special)... Edited April 15, 2014 by Taun 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted April 15, 2014 #13 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Drive-In Theaters are a treat... You really should try to go to one at least once in your life... The crappier the movie the better... Really bad movies are so much better at drive-ins... I don't know why... they just are... (Not much fun by yourself though... A LOT better with someone special)... Then, of course, you have to sneak a couple of people in in the trunk. Ya know, I think I'm revealing too much information. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taun Posted April 15, 2014 Author #14 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Then, of course, you have to sneak a couple of people in in the trunk. Ya know, I think I'm revealing too much information. We had a station wagon when I was a kid, and my dad use to put three or four of us in the back and put a blanket over us... Also, we would fill up a trash bag with popcorn, etc and smuggle in our own refreshments... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regi Posted April 15, 2014 #15 Share Posted April 15, 2014 No ma'am. There's the Tascosa Drive-in Theatre in Amarillo, TX. It actually re-opened the summer I visited a friend there, in 2000. Used to be 2 screens, but when they reopened, it became a single screen with the other half of the property becoming an RV park. That's great! I'm surprised that there are actually several others throughout the state. What I said about the screens still laying out there at 'my' old drive-in...they aren't. I went on google earth and the land is clear and all that's there is the concession building which was in the center of the two screens and it's almost completely covered by trees and undergrowth. The entrance and exit roads which were dirt/gravel are still visible. Cool stuff! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regi Posted April 15, 2014 #16 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Where I grew up, we had 4 channels, 2(ABC) the local station from the nearest city, and 4(NBC), 5(CBS), and 9(ABC), from a larger city to the south. And I remember when those stations went off the air somewhere around 11-12:00 pm and then checking to see what other station might still be on. I woke up to static plenty of times. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHaYap Posted April 15, 2014 #17 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I used to use the static channels as a night lamp once upon a time ~ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taun Posted April 15, 2014 Author #18 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I remember fiddling with the coarse and fine tuning knobs seemingly for hours trying to get the "snow" to clear up... What was your favorite toy when you were a kid?... Mine was a Hop-a-long Cassidy pistol/holster set, with a Black "Hoppy" Hat... But the 'toys' I played with the most were plain cardboard boxes - big enough for me to get into... My imagination was always strong... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHaYap Posted April 15, 2014 #19 Share Posted April 15, 2014 OoooOOooooo .... I loved fishing before I learned of the charms that girls possesses ~ prior to that I did graduated up to trapping monitor lizards ~ till I got one that was bigger than me and my side kick ~ and we became the laughing stock of the neighborhood when we had to call for ... uhmmmm reinforcements ... ~ was always a outdoorsy kind of childhood for me ... ~ 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sakari Posted April 15, 2014 #20 Share Posted April 15, 2014 (edited) I'll be 48 in May. I guess I will wait 2 years to post Gas was 38 cents a gallon when I got my first dirt bike.... We trick or treated at night... We repected our elders, especially teachers and Principals with those paddles that had holes in them.... If our parents did not spank us for being stupid, our friends parent would. And our parents thanked them... We did not have " time out ", we had grounding/restricted, and/or " whoopins "..... ( last 3 is why we had respect ) People did not sue each other for every little thing.... Boxing was fun yo watch.... There were no school shootings... Bullies and bullying were rare.... We did not have yuppies.... People were not materialistic.... If you needed eggs, milk, flour, etc. you could get a cup for mom from the neighbors.... You new almost everyone on your street by name.... You could hitch hike....( safely ) People helped each other, held doors open, etc....... We would be sent to the market to get a pack of smokes for mom or dad with just a note from them.... We played outside and exorcised by running around..... We walked everywhere....Even to School if it were 2 or 3 miles away... We could leave our bikes in front yard for weeks, and it would still be there when we wanted to ride it.... We left houses un locked.... We ate dinner as a family at the dinner table...( until those TV trays came around ).. We went camping as a family... thats it for now. Sorry, I posted only being 47. Edited April 15, 2014 by Sakari 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taun Posted April 16, 2014 Author #21 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Enjoyed your post sakari... The only thing I seem to remember differently was that bullying was very much present... The only difference was that rather than telling a teacher and giving the obnoxious kid a police record, you just slugged him in the mouth, took your lumps (or even won) and then the two of you were friends... or at least not enemies anymore... everything else was pretty spot on... I hearby grant you the title of honorary "Old Fart" (Cootsterdom is for 60+) ... PS: From the time I was 10 until I was 14 I worked my butt off every summer mowing yards... Gasoline was 8 cents a gallon when I started.... For $5 I would mow the entire yard -front, back and sides - trim the grass around the base of the house with hand shears and edge the lawn around the drive and sidewalk, for an extra $3 I would rake up the clipped grass andbag it... (mulching mowers did not exist yet) On a good day I could do 3 yards earning $15 (spending about $1 for gas, oil, etc)... I put the money away (mostly) and used it to buy my lunches at school the entire next year... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sakari Posted April 16, 2014 #22 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Enjoyed your post sakari... The only thing I seem to remember differently was that bullying was very much present... The only difference was that rather than telling a teacher and giving the obnoxious kid a police record, you just slugged him in the mouth, took your lumps (or even won) and then the two of you were friends... or at least not enemies anymore... everything else was pretty spot on... I hearby grant you the title of honorary "Old Fart" (Cootsterdom is for 60+) ... PS: From the time I was 10 until I was 14 I worked my butt off every summer mowing yards... Gasoline was 8 cents a gallon when I started.... For $5 I would mow the entire yard -front, back and sides - trim the grass around the base of the house with hand shears and edge the lawn around the drive and sidewalk, for an extra $3 I would rake up the clipped grass andbag it... (mulching mowers did not exist yet) On a good day I could do 3 yards earning $15 (spending about $1 for gas, oil, etc)... I put the money away (mostly) and used it to buy my lunches at school the entire next year... I agree with the bully part. I do have more Delivering the Newspaper.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taun Posted April 16, 2014 Author #23 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I agree with the bully part. I do have more Delivering the Newspaper.... Never had a paper route... I was too lazy, they had to get up waaaaay too early for me... (Look at me now... I have to be at work at 5:30 am every morning)... I remember when I was in first grade they were sending the Mercury astronauts up... The school marched us all into the cafeteria and they wheeled out a TV sset... We watched the launches on the TV and from that moment I was hooked on space flight and exploration (turns out I'm afraid of heights... oh well) The "Weekly Reader" a school newspaper had a "centerfold" picture of the mercury capsules instrument panel... I removed it from the paper and taped it up inside a large cardboard box... Then put a pillow down and layed inthe box, facing up at the instrument panel (that was the position of the astronauts)... I flew all over the universe in that box.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regi Posted April 16, 2014 #24 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Drive-In Theaters are a treat... You really should try to go to one at least once in your life... The crappier the movie the better... Really bad movies are so much better at drive-ins... I don't know why... they just are... (Not much fun by yourself though... A LOT better with someone special)... You've got a really good point there, Taun! I'm looking forward to someday visiting a drive-in again and now that I've thought more about it, I don't necessarily care what's showing. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regi Posted April 16, 2014 #25 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Delivering the Newspaper.... I filled in for a friend for a few weeks and screwed up royally when one day, the commitment completely slipped my mind as I goofed off with another friend across town. OMG, you'd think it was the end of the world when people didn't get their paper on time! Hey, they must have been the grumpy old coots and cootesses! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now